Partnering with higher education institutions for SDG 17: The role of higher education institutions in multi-stakeholder partnerships

Abstract

Dr Rajesh Tandon and Dr Kaustuv Chakrabarti focus this paper on exploring the role of HEIs in achieving the SDGs and their roles in multi stakeholder partnerships. Given the emphasis of intergovernmental agencies on partnerships including various stakeholders and its growing relevance in solving local development challenges, the second section of the paper provides a historical account of partnerships. The third section concentrates on the lessons of partnerships in the past two decades. Following which the paper presents the findings of a survey conducted by PRIA to understand the nuances of partnerships in present times. The final section analyses the implications for Higher Education Institutions in achieving the SDGs, pointing to the need for HEIs to rebalance power differentials and move beyond a teaching-only mode of engagement with other stakeholders.